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Hindustan Times

February 2026

₹590-cr govt funds fraud: Superintendent held in Panchkula; ACB seeks six-day remand

In the alleged ₹590-crore government funds fraud case, the state vigilance and anti-corruption bureau (ACB) has arrested a superintendent in the office of the director, development and panchayat, Haryana

‘We thought it was an earthquake’: Locals recall horror; kin seek clarity

He called me during lunch hour. He said he was returning to work in the factory and would call back in the evening. That was the last call. His phone is now switched off,
We thought it was an earthquake. Our houses were shaking and the walls developed cracks. Some electric appliances caught fire,

20 dead, 11 injured as blast rips through AP firecracker factory

A detailed investigation is expected to follow once the fire is fully brought under control,
Some individuals have developed a reckless attitude and are playing with people’s lives. We will not only arrest them but also prosecute them. Their properties will be seized and handed over to the victims’ families. No one will be allowed to act at will,
Current protocols are insufficient. We will install CCTV cameras across such areas and link them to control rooms,
Mandatory safety measures for handling explosive materials were ignored,
They were daily wage workers. This tragedy has devastated their families,

Telangana to enact new municipal Act for Hyderabad

In order to ensure proper maintenance of the roads, all the roads in the jurisdiction of roads and buildings department in the core urban area be transferred to the municipal administration and urban development department. This will help prevent confusion on the ownership of roads by different agencies,

BPT Road accident: 2 held for cabbie’s death

The machinery was not properly secured to the trailer and the cleaner failed to keep an eye on it. As a result, he did not notice that the chain securing it had come loose. The driver too was negligent as he was driving in the fast lane even though heavy vehicles are supposed to drive in the left, or slow lane,
We arrested the trailer driver Shriram Hiralal Rawat, 25, and cleaner Sagar Rajrup Rawat, 19, and booked them with the same offences as the executives. We allowed them to go after issuing them notices of appearance,

Iran conflict risks oil surge, rupee pressure

A prolonged and/or widening conflict involving several oil and gas producers and Strait of Hormuz could adversely impact global crude oil and LNG supplies and raise prices of energy globally,
It is too early to comment on the impact of the conflict on trade. But, prolonged conflict may see escalation in freight charges, insurance costs and rise on dollar demand, which would lead to further depreciation of the rupee against dollar.”
The conflict in Middle East and reported attacks on several oil producers would exacerbate the volatility in crude oil prices.”
Supply may tighten if the conflict escalates and is prolonged, which may see a jump in India’s crude oil import cost. Besides Russian curbs, harsh winter demand also saw the US withdrawing oil from its strategic reserve. So, supply could get impacted. Means pricing pressure on India,
All costs could not be passed to the consumer. Hence, a large share of the burden would be borne by the traders,
Additionally elevated crude oil prices would moderate the marketing margins and profitability of oil marketing companies,
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital energy choke point through which about 20% of the global petroleum liquid and 20% of the global liquified natural gas passes. As Iran and Middle East energy producers straddle the Strait of Hormuz, a conflict in the region would impede shipping of energy through the same,

Amid escalation, Lucknow families anxious over safety of relatives in Gulf

The disruption of communication services in Iran has added to the worries of families in Lucknow

He had undergone open-heart surgery some time ago. We are worried because communication lines are suspended. I pray for his safety,
India is deeply concerned at the recent developments in Iran and the Gulf region. We urge all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritise the safety of civilians,
We came to know about the missile attack in the border areas. There is slight tension but nothing to worry about. People here are going to malls and doing their daily stuff. Authorities have asked people to stay cautious, but we have also been advised not to panic.”
We are being careful, but the situation appears to be under control. Our families in India are worried, but we have told them not to panic. We hope the situation de-escalates soon.”
I spoke to him early this (Saturday) morning. After the attacks, we have not been able to reach him as internet services have been shut down there. I just hope he is safe,
Today I heard about an attack on Qom. Since my family lives there, I am worried. I cannot contact them as all communication services are suspended. I pray for their safety,

India dials Iran and Israel, seeks diplomacy as Middle East war escalates: 'Shared deep concern...'

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has held back‑to‑back calls with his Israeli and Iranian counterparts, voicing “deep concern” and repeating New Delhi’s appeal for dialogue and diplomacy over missiles and warheads

‘Many signs he is gone’: Netanyahu fuels mystery over Khamenei’s fate after Israeli-US strikes

Framing the joint US‑Israel onslaught as a “War of Revival” and “Operation Mount Sinai,” Netanyahu urged Iranians to seize a “once‑in‑a‑generation” chance to topple the regime, while hailing Israelis’ resolve at home

Court stops ex Lilavati trustee, others from broadcasting embezzlement claims

This sort of media trial creates serious doubts in the minds of the public at large especially when Plaintiff No. 1 (LKMMT) — Trust is in the public domain and runs a reputable charitable hospital in the city of Mumbai.”

Explosions rock Abu Dhabi as Iranian missiles trigger emergency alerts, one person is killed by falling shrapnel, and Dubai’s iconic Fairmont The Palm suffers blast damage with multiple injuries reported

US-Iran update: What happens after Ali Khamenei's death? Chaos, election and new Supreme Leader

Donald Trumppresident
Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead,

Dubai's Jumeirah Burj Al Arab hotel struck by Iran's UAV drone? New videos emerge amid emergency

This comes as the Dubai International Airport sustained damage on Saturday, with four injuries reported at the scene

Looks like the world famous Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai got hit by Irani drone,
Dubai Airports confirms that a concourse at Dubai International (DXB) sustained minor damage in an incident, which was quickly contained. Emergency response teams were immediately deployed and are managing the situation in coordination with the relevant authorities,
This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS,
Iranian Shahed Drone Strikes Burj Al Arab in Dubai Amid Escalating Retaliation Reports and viral footage indicate an Iranian drone (likely a Shahed-type kamikaze UAV) has directly impacted the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai, UAE,
Seek immediate shelter in the closest secure building, steer away from windows, doors, and open areas. Await for further instructions.”

Democracy delivered door-to-door in Mumbai

Apart from meeting residents at their housing societies, I have also created WhatsApp groups to connect with them. Residents were informed about the deep cleaning drive on February 27. Many of them participated in thorough road and footpath cleaning and removal of illegal hawkers blocking footpaths,
Rekha Yadavindian politician
We have been trying to solve the issue of dumping here for many years. Nothing worked because corporators and BMC were hand-in-glove,
I have already started addressing complaints of citizens from my ward. After back-to-back meetings with the ward officer, we demolished all the encroachments. Next on my agenda is to solve another grievance of citizens — traffic. They face this nightmare the moment they step out of their housing societies every day, I wish to resolve this as well,
Yashwant Killedarthe local corporator
The issue of inadequate water supply persists in many old chawls and housing societies in Dadar,
It is not as if we did not what to solve the issue, but the link between citizens and the civic body was broken. Funds have been allocated and the chain of communication has been restored,
Prakash Gangadharecorporator
Hawkers are also a necessity for people,
It does not look good, and why block a road if we can clear it,
People are optimistic as they are getting access to Kulkarni and she is listening to their complaints. After we met her and tabled our issues, the illegal roadside food stalls around Lokhandwala Circle were removed,
At least 150 trucks would move in and out every day,

As Trump confirms Al Khamenei's death, cryptic ‘peace be upon him’ post made from Iran Supremo's account

This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS,
The people that make all the decisions, most of them are gone.”

No separate law for gig workers; govt to constitute a welfare board for them

Since these platforms shrug off their responsibility, saying they are not their employees, the labour department has integrated with the police to verify and register the delivery boys with the help of valid documents,
We are constituting a national social security board for them,
After the central government’s Code of Social Security, 2020, there is no need for a separate state law,
Since they do not treat these workers as their employees and call them partners, we do not have the exact number of gig workers,

NCR realtor held for ‘cheating lawyers’ in ₹6cr investment bid

He was produced before a court on Saturday and taken on two-day police remand for interrogation,
He had promised the investors that he would invest their money in his firm’s real estate project in Gurugram and it would double soon. The lawyers kept following him for several months to get the status of their investment but failed after which they staged a protest at his company’s club on Sohna Road on August 25 last year,

165 ‘peace meetings’ held across Noida, Greater Noida ahead of Holi

Police have been directed to ensure that Holi and other festivals are conducted peacefully, with adequate deployment and monitoring, particularly in sensitive areas. Special vigilance will be maintained at identified locations, and necessary security arrangements are being put in place across the district,
During the meetings, several local issues and suggestions were raised by community members. These were addressed on the spot or forwarded for appropriate action,

Noida: Two held in overseas job racket involving ₹70 lakh

NoidaaDCP
They would send forged offer letters, visa copies and airline ticket printouts to gain the trust of victims. Money was then collected in phases under the guise of processing fees, visa charges, medical fees, embassy approval and ticket confirmation,
Manisha Singhindian American attorney and government official
The complainant approached Sector 126 police station on Friday. Based on his complaint, an FIR was registered and a police team initiated a probe,

What's happening at Dubai Airport's Terminal 3? Scary videos emerge amid emergency alert

The Dubai airport was allegedly hit by Iranian missiles, videos circulating on social media showed

Iran attacking Dubai is crazy. Attacking Dubai international airport is next level crazy. The busiest airport in the world, this is an attack on everyone. Somebody is going to react, and it is going to cataclysmic,
Dubai airport has been hit by Iranian missiles. The airport had been evacuated,